What's on

Looking for something fun to do, with a cultural twist? Take a look at our events and exhibitions! We host all kinds of talks, workshops, films, guided tours and more, for audiences across all age groups, including families. Our events help you get to know our amazing collections and tell the story of Victoria's history. Many events – including our exhibitions – are free.

Featured events & exhibitions

Saturday, 1 December 2018–Tuesday, 31 December 2019

Peter Wille: Out driving

bookings required

Tuesday, 21 May 2019 - 6:00pm–7:00pm

The Garret LIVE at the Library

bookings required

Monday, 29 April 2019 - 1:30pm

Dome to catacomb tour

Thursday, 9 May 2019 - 11:30am–12:30pm

'World of the book' tour

Bookings required

Thursday, 9 May 2019 - 6:30pm–8:00pm

Writers on Writers: Nam Le on David Malouf

All events & exhibitions

08 March 2018–19 January 2020

Self-made: zines and artist books

Discover the evolution of do-it-yourself publishing in this free exhibition of fanzines, punk zines, underground press publications and artist books designed to buck the commercial gallery system.

Cost: Free

touring exhibition

Daily

Peter Wille: Out driving

Explore this temporary exhibition showcasing images of Melbourne's architectural wonders throughout the 1950's and 1960's.

Cost: Free

Daily

The changing face of Victoria

Visit a remarkable free exhibition that tells the stories of the people, places and events that have shaped Victoria.

Cost: Free

Daily

Cowen Gallery exhibition

The newly curated Cowen Gallery exhibition showcases works from the Library’s paintings collection, exploring regional and urban themes.

Cost: Free

Daily

World of the book

Explore a world of ideas and imagination in this exhibition showcasing the history of book design, production and illustration.

Cost: Free

13 May 2019, 11:00am–11:45am

Welcome to the Library tour

Take a free guided tour exploring the Library, daily from 11am to 11.45am.

Cost: Free

13 May 2019, 11:30am–12:30pm

'World of the book' tour

See highlights of the 'World of the book' exhibition on this free daily tour at 11.30am.

Cost: Free

13 May 2019, 1:30pm

Dome to catacomb tour

Sneak a peek behind the scenes at the iconic State Library and roam the building from top to bottom in this tour.

Cost: Free

bookings required

14 May 2019, 2:00pm–3:00pm

'The changing face of Victoria' tour

Visit the La Trobe Reading Room and see highlights of the 'Changing face of Victoria' exhibition in this free guided tour. Ned Kelly's armour is temporarily off display

Cost: Free

15 May 2019, 10:30am–12:00pm

Accessing ebooks

Learn everything you need to know about searching and downloading ebooks to a PC or your own device.

Cost: Free

Bookings required

15 May 2019, 1:00pm

Ned Kelly tour

Discover the story of Victoria’s infamous bushranger Ned Kelly in this free guided tour running every Wednesday and Saturday, except public holidays.

Cost: Free

bookings required

16 May 2019, 6:00pm–6:30pm

Dome at Dusk: Magellan, Drake and the race to circumnavigate

Find out more about intrepid navigators, Ferdinand Magellan and Francis Drake.

Cost: Free

booked out

21 May 2019, 6:00pm–7:00pm

The Garret LIVE at the Library

Hear award-winning writer and poet Maxine Beneba Clarke in conversation with host Astrid Edwards.

Cost: Free

bookings required

22 May 2019, 2:00pm–3:30pm

Researching with eresources

Learn more about how to access resources and navigate the Library's catalogue.

Cost: Free

bookings required

01 June 2019–01 July 2019

Dome at dusk

Join us under the Dome at dusk for a series of specialist collection talks.

Cost: Free

bookings required

06 June 2019, 6:00pm–6:30pm

Dome at Dusk: ‘Who so shall telle a tale …’ – Chaucer at the Library

Hear Chaucer’s language brought to life with medieval literature expert Professor Stephanie Trigg.

Cost: Free

bookings required

20 June 2019, 12:00pm

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Hear the visions of six emerging writer's in this self-guided listening tour.

Cost: $10.00

Bookings required

20 June 2019, 6:00pm–6:30pm

Dome at Dusk: Feed your land and it will feed you

Join curator Bethan Johnson to explore how the hopes of modernity shaped farming in Victoria.

Cost: Free

bookings required

20 June 2019, 7:00pm–8:00pm

Ways of listening

Join Emerging Writers’ Festival’s three Melbourne Recital Centre Writers-in-Residence for a night of discussion, performance and live music.

Cost: Full price $30, concession $25.

Bookings required

22 June 2019, 9:00am–5:00pm

Emerging Writers’ Festival National Writers Conference

Join 70 artists across two days of panels, discussions, workshops and more!

Cost: Early bird full price $80, concession $60 for a limited time only.

bookings required

01 July 2019–03 July 2019

School holiday program: Story Camp

Meet and learn from some of Australia's most exciting and inspiring storytellers in a free school holiday workshop for 12- to 15-year-olds.

Cost: Free (eligibility criteria apply)

02 July 2019, 10:15am–11:15am

Newspapers and family history introduction tour

Learn research skills to help you navigate the family history collections.

Cost: Free

bookings required

03 July 2019, 7:00pm–10 July 2019, 7:00pm

Australian Poetry Slam heats

Join in the excitement and register for the 2019 Poetry Slam heats!

Cost: Free

bookings required

04 July 2019, 6:00pm–6:30pm

Dome at Dusk – Australian Gothic: Picnic at Hanging Rock

Hear Dr Catherine Padmore explore material relating to the book and it's author Joan Lindsay’s life.

Cost: Free

bookings required

18 July 2019, 6:00pm–6:30pm

Dome at Dusk – Georgiana McCrae: linguist, painter and diarist

Find out more about the sketches, paintings and aretafcts of Georgiana McCrae.

Cost: Free

Bookings required

24 July 2019, 6:00pm–7:00pm

The 2019 Redmond Barry Lecture

Join acclaimed ballet dancer David McAllister as he delivers the 2019 Redmond Barry lecture Ballet: not just tutus and tiaras.

Cost: Free

bookings required

What's on

Featured events & exhibitions

Peter Wille: Out driving

The Garret LIVE at the Library

Dome to catacomb tour

'World of the book' tour

Writers on Writers: Nam Le on David Malouf

Filter events by date

Filter by event type

Filter by cost

All events & exhibitions

Self-made: zines and artist books

Peter Wille: Out driving

The changing face of Victoria

Cowen Gallery exhibition

World of the book

Welcome to the Library tour

'World of the book' tour

Dome to catacomb tour

'The changing face of Victoria' tour

Accessing ebooks

Ned Kelly tour

Dome at Dusk: Magellan, Drake and the race to circumnavigate

The Garret LIVE at the Library

Researching with eresources

Dome at dusk

Dome at Dusk: ‘Who so shall telle a tale …’ – Chaucer at the Library

2222

Dome at Dusk: Feed your land and it will feed you

Ways of listening

Emerging Writers’ Festival National Writers Conference

School holiday program: Story Camp

Newspapers and family history introduction tour

Australian Poetry Slam heats

Dome at Dusk – Australian Gothic: Picnic at Hanging Rock

Dome at Dusk – Georgiana McCrae: linguist, painter and diarist

The 2019 Redmond Barry Lecture

Bruce Postle Archive appeal

What's on

Featured events & exhibitions

Peter Wille: Out driving

The Garret LIVE at the Library

Dome to catacomb tour

'World of the book' tour

Writers on Writers: Nam Le on David Malouf

Filter events by date

Filter by event type

Filter by cost

All events & exhibitions

Self-made: zines and artist books

Peter Wille: Out driving

The changing face of Victoria

Cowen Gallery exhibition

World of the book

Welcome to the Library tour

'World of the book' tour

Dome to catacomb tour

'The changing face of Victoria' tour

Accessing ebooks

Ned Kelly tour

Dome at Dusk: Magellan, Drake and the race to circumnavigate

The Garret LIVE at the Library

Researching with eresources

Dome at dusk

Dome at Dusk: ‘Who so shall telle a tale …’ – Chaucer at the Library

2222

Dome at Dusk: Feed your land and it will feed you

Ways of listening

Emerging Writers’ Festival National Writers Conference

School holiday program: Story Camp

Newspapers and family history introduction tour

Australian Poetry Slam heats

Dome at Dusk – Australian Gothic: Picnic at Hanging Rock

Dome at Dusk – Georgiana McCrae: linguist, painter and diarist

The 2019 Redmond Barry Lecture